Workshops

The official website of Viola Spolin, originator of theater games and mother of improvisational theater.

Everyone can act. Everyone can improvise. Anyone who wishes to can play in the theater and learn to become stageworthy.

— Viola Spolin

Workshops/outreach

SPOLIN THEATER GAME WORKSHOPS IN NEW YORK, CHICAGO, LOS ANGELES AND AROUND THE COUNTRY

Explore the improvisational acting method of Viola Spolin to enhance your training as an actor, improviser, educator, writer, or director. Named "one of the most prominent acting techniques" by Backstage, Viola Spolin's Theater Games release the intuition through focus, spontaneity, and play, opening up new avenues of expression and communication in your work and in your daily life.

Sidecoach Aretha Sills is the granddaughter of Viola Spolin and the associate director of Sills/Spolin Theater Works. She studied Spolin's theater games for many years with her father, legendary director Paul Sills. She has led workshops at Paul Sills’ Wisconsin Theater Game Center, Bard College, Northwestern University, Stella Adler Studio, The Art of Acting Studio, Stockholm International School, and Sarah Lawrence College. She gave the keynote address at the California Educational Theatre Association Conference. She also teaches Improvisation for Writers and directs The Predicament Players. Aretha offers workshops regularly in Los Angeles, annually in Chicago and New York, and occasionally around the world.

Please email Aretha Sills to request to be notified about upcoming workshops, or to inquire about bringing her to work with your school or group.

YOUTH CLASSES IN LOS ANGELES

Coming February, 2018: A new youth theater program in Los Angeles, offering a series of classes for ages 7 through 17.

Generations of kids and adults have learned to act through playing Viola Spolin's improvisational theater games, among them Oscar and Tony-Award winning actors and directors. Sidecoach Aretha Sills invites young players to explore the play-based method that allows each child's unique gifts to flourish in a non-competitive, nurturing, and joyful environment. Students of all experience levels are welcome, including aspiring actors and those who just wish to play! Learn more here.

Sign up to be notified about upcoming classes in LA below.

Chicago youth program coming soon! See the email sign up form below.

LOS ANGELES YOUTH PROGRAM

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CHICAGO YOUTH PROGRAM

Offering weeklong summer intensives in the work of American theater legends Viola Spolin and Paul Sills. Workshops meet in studios at the Sills family farm in Door County, Wisconsin, a world-famous vacation destination located on the beautiful peninsula in Lake Michigan.

Unfortunately, the summer 2017 season was cancelled, but check back early next year for 2018 dates!

Sign up to be notified about upcoming workshops here. More Information about the workshop and travel to Door County can be found at PaulSills.com.

OUTREACH

Sills/Spolin Theater Works educators are available to bring workshops in Theater Games and Story Theater to your school or organization. We also direct productions, offer teacher training, and speak to groups about Viola Spolin, Paul Sills, and the history of improvisational theater in America.

No part of this Website, including text, graphics, sounds or images, may be reproduced or retransmitted in any way, or by any means, without the prior express written permission of the Viola Spolin Estate.